Marcus Lattimore says he will surprise everyone with recovery

Marcus Lattimore

This July 20, 2011, file photo shows former South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore talking with reporters during Southeastern Conference football media days in Hoover, Ala. (AP Photo/Dave Martin, File)

AP

By James CrepeaMontgomery Advertiser, Ala. (MCT)

Published: Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 7:39 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 7:39 a.m.

MOBILE, Ala. -- It was one of the most gruesome injuries of the college football season.

South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore, who had come back strong from a knee injury that ended his 2011 season, took a handoff Oct. 27 against against Tennessee when his right knee was bent grotesquely during a tackle.

"I watched it one time," said Lattimore, who attended the South team practice at the Senior Bowl in Mobile on Tuesday. "Maybe a day after."

Another season ended prematurely for Lattimore by a knee injury, this time classified as "extensive damage" to the ACL and MCL. Though he received an outpouring of support from players across the SEC and the nation, many feared for his future.

"I got cards from every school in the SEC, schools across the nation,. That makes me feel good that they respect me as a player," Lattimore said. "And most importantly -- forget the player -- the person I am."

The person and the player now are more determined than ever to overcome. Lattimore, who is bypassing his senior season with the Gamecocks to enter the NFL draft, said his recovery is moving along quickly, and he hopes to be ready for the start of the 2013 season.

"Dr. (James) Andrews came in to see me. He said, 'You're doing remarkable. You're doing everything you can. You're going to shock the world,'" Lattimore said. "Dr. Andrews said ... my progress, it's nothing short of a miracle. He said I shouldn't even be walking the way I am right now. I'm way ahead of schedule right now."

The 6-foot, 218-pound Lattimore said he has spoken to Willis McGahee, who suffered a similar injury in his final college game with Miami, and draws inspiration from the 10-year NFL veteran.

"It's motivation. Willis McGahee had the same kind of exact injury. He came back from it," Lattimore said. "It can be done, and I will do it."

Projected as a first-round NFL pick before the injury, Lattimore rushed for 2,677 yards with 38 touchdowns in his career at South Carolina, including 662 yards and 11 touchdowns this season.

Lattimore said he met with representatives of multiple NFL teams this week, and said he has "no clue" when he may be picked, if at all. But based on what Andrews told him, he's steadfast in his conviction that he'll be ready for Week 1.

"That's my goal, and it is realistic," he said. "I know when I get on that team, I'm going to work as hard as I can. I know what I can do on the field -- I can catch, I can run, I can block, I can do it all -- and there's no doubt that I'll be a starter."

<p>MOBILE, Ala. -- It was one of the most gruesome injuries of the college football season.</p><p>South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore, who had come back strong from a knee injury that ended his 2011 season, took a handoff Oct. 27 against against Tennessee when his right knee was bent grotesquely during a tackle.</p><p>"I watched it one time," said Lattimore, who attended the South team practice at the Senior Bowl in Mobile on Tuesday. "Maybe a day after."</p><p>Another season ended prematurely for Lattimore by a knee injury, this time classified as "extensive damage" to the ACL and MCL. Though he received an outpouring of support from players across the SEC and the nation, many feared for his future.</p><p>"I got cards from every school in the SEC, schools across the nation,. That makes me feel good that they respect me as a player," Lattimore said. "And most importantly -- forget the player -- the person I am."</p><p>The person and the player now are more determined than ever to overcome. Lattimore, who is bypassing his senior season with the Gamecocks to enter the NFL draft, said his recovery is moving along quickly, and he hopes to be ready for the start of the 2013 season.</p><p>"Dr. (James) Andrews came in to see me. He said, 'You're doing remarkable. You're doing everything you can. You're going to shock the world,'" Lattimore said. "Dr. Andrews said ... my progress, it's nothing short of a miracle. He said I shouldn't even be walking the way I am right now. I'm way ahead of schedule right now."</p><p>The 6-foot, 218-pound Lattimore said he has spoken to Willis McGahee, who suffered a similar injury in his final college game with Miami, and draws inspiration from the 10-year NFL veteran.</p><p>"It's motivation. Willis McGahee had the same kind of exact injury. He came back from it," Lattimore said. "It can be done, and I will do it."</p><p>Projected as a first-round NFL pick before the injury, Lattimore rushed for 2,677 yards with 38 touchdowns in his career at South Carolina, including 662 yards and 11 touchdowns this season.</p><p>Lattimore said he met with representatives of multiple NFL teams this week, and said he has "no clue" when he may be picked, if at all. But based on what Andrews told him, he's steadfast in his conviction that he'll be ready for Week 1.</p><p>"That's my goal, and it is realistic," he said. "I know when I get on that team, I'm going to work as hard as I can. I know what I can do on the field -- I can catch, I can run, I can block, I can do it all -- and there's no doubt that I'll be a starter."</p><p>___</p><p>(c) 2013 the Montgomery Advertiser (Montgomery, Ala.)</p><p>Visit the Montgomery Advertiser (Montgomery, Ala.) at www.montgomeryadvertiser.com</p><p>Distributed by MCT Information Services</p>